Air travel is generally the biggest money outlay—and therefore the biggest deterrent to going anywhere. Consider some key ways around it. One is the extraordinarily low winter airfare to get to Europe that happens every year, usually between mid-October and March or April. Airlines offer transatlantic roundtrip fares of $400 or even less to London, Paris, Rome, etc.

Why would you want to go abroad in the winter? To see and do the same things as in peak seasons and without the crowds and high costs for museums, concerts, theater, language courses. Hotels and all-inclusive packages are generally cheaper at that time too. Book at least six months in advance and pay early to get low-priced promotional airfare, or, if your time is flexible, see what you can get at the last minute for a low price. Most major airlines have discontinued the senior discount fare, making the off-season rates especially attractive. Once in Europe, you’ll find more new airlines to provide cheap travel from nearly all the major hubs to wherever you want to go (see below).

Rail Passes

Once you’re there, even more opportunities to save are available for the over-60 crowd. Most senior rail passes are for single countries or contiguous countries such as Scandinavia or the Balkans.

Eurailpass, good for unlimited travel in about 17 European countries, offers no senior discounts, making individual country passes a better deal. Here are the best ones:

Eurostar, the Channel Tunnel train, and the Thalys train give seniors 25-30 percent off, but you may have to order them ahead.  In many major cities local transportation—subways, buses, and lake steamers—is grouped together in a one-purchase card.

For discounts in general, other than transportation, different countries offer different deals, and the practice is often unpredictable. Some bargains are available to anyone over 60; others are limited to citizens of the EU nations. In Greece, for instance, a few museums and archeological sites are discounted. In Austria discounts vary from one museum or site to another; there is no general rule. You often have to be a member of an association or hold a British pension book in England to get a discount. And so it goes—no hard and fast specifics. Before you go, see what discount cards are available for free or reduced rates to attractions in the areas you’ll visiting.

The point is that discounts are out there. They’re very often available for movies, theaters, museums, tours, local sightseeing, historic buildings, hotels, restaurants, and car rentals. The main rule to keep in mind is that if you think you may qualify for a discount on anything ask. They’re not apt to volunteer the offer—any more than they do in your home town. In the case of hotels and car rentals, ask when you make the reservation, not when you check out. And ask too for weekend or midweek packages at hotels or, better yet, look for lower-priced B and Bs where you’ll often feel like one of the family.

As for evening meals, which abroad are frequently served when American seniors are ready to turn in, look for early-bird menus, often served before 7 p.m.

Another tip: always keep some form of identification like a passport or a driver’s license with you that show your date of birth. You never know when and where a bargain is waiting for you. Finally, verify all published rates and schedules before you assume they’re valid.

Vacationing in New York will lead you to stores like Bloomingdales and Macy’s. These stores are a shopping haven to a lot of shopaholics out there. There are also designer shops in New York. You will be happy to find out that theses shops includes Prada, Armani, Louis Vuitton, Versace, and so on. You can spend days in New York just shopping till you drop.

If you like the theater then you will surely love visiting Broadway. A New York vacation will never be complete without a visit to Broadway. You can enjoy operas and other entertainment shows. You will surely be amazed at the glamour of the theater. One of the liveliest and happening destinations of United States of America with various New York Hotels around, this city tops the priority list of almost every tourist.

Once you have enjoyed a night in the splendor of New York lights then it is time to enjoy US Open. Tennis fanatics love visiting New York just to be a part of their mini US Opens. There you will enjoy watching tennis matches played by your favorite tennis player. You will also love festive atmosphere during the tennis season. You can enjoy what US Open can offer at the Flushing meadows. There you will be able to rub elbows with other tennis fanatics. These mini US Opens usually takes during late August or Early September. If you are in New York at these times be sure to attend these events and have the time of your life.

After an exciting and fast paced activity, it is time to slow down. You can visit museums like the American Museum of Natural History and the Metropolitan Museum of Arts. This is one of the sights of New York that you simply must not pass during your New York vacation.

There are a lot that New York can offer. Whatever your pleasure might be a New York vacation will surely make your stay worthwhile. I recommend that the next time you plan a trip try opting for vacation in New York.

Built 400 years ago in concentric horseshoes, they are the rib cage of the city. Coasting their waters on a canal boat opens windows onto a history of vast wealth and global power. The cobbled streets alongside the canals are scenic urban pathways for walking or biking. And they are anchors for funky shops, and cafes.

The inner city of the Dutch capital is a compact warren of heritage buildings, of museums both grand and odd, of hidden gardens and outdoor markets – all within easy reach by any mode of transport except the unwelcome car.

No longer is the bargain city of Europe, Amsterdam still a town of wonders that can be had for a discount, and sometimes for free.

WALKING AND BIKING

Seeing 17th century Amsterdam, with its proud past and sometimes quirky culture on display, from a bike or on foot is a happy cost-free experience. Among its 2,000 or so bridges, the Bridge of 15 Bridges at the intersection of two canals is among the most spectacular, with a view of a series of stone spans whose arches are gracefully lit at night.

The city also has hidden gems that require guidance or tips to find: Some gardens, tucked away in courtyards or behind stately apartments, are open to the public any time, while others open on a special day of the year. The Rijksmuseum, with its Rembrandts and Vermeers, costs 11 euro ($A18.86) entry, but its garden is open year-round for free.

The Begijnhof is a grassy courtyard surrounded by 14th century cottages – an oasis of quiet at one of the busiest sections of town where a small chapel often stages musical recitals. Near the Begijnhof is a covered passageway known as the Civics Guard Gallery, with 15 huge group portraits – from the same time as Rembrandt’s Night Watch – of leading citizens from the Dutch Golden Age.

Outside the well-trod shopping lanes are the lesser known sections, like the Nine Lanes, lined with tiny specialty establishments like the handmade soap shop, the spectacles museum and a store dedicated to toothbrushes. The Jordaan, once the working class district, has been revived with boutiques, tapas bars, ethnic restaurants and Amsterdam Hotels. Advertorial info: sharing files over the internet

The city’s 26 open-air markets offer knick-knacks, antiques, farmers’ produce, artworks, clothing and just about anything else you can think of. The largest and most popular with Dutch food shoppers is the Albert Cuyp Market, where everything is fresh and cheap.

Traveling by bicycle makes you feel like a true local. About 40 per cent of Amsterdam traffic is on two wheels. Most streets have special lanes and traffic lights – and woe be to the unwary pedestrian who walks in the bike path. Although the bicycle is king in Amsterdam, beware of the many trams and getting your wheel caught in their rails.

Tourists can rent a bike for about 10 euro ($A17.15) a day, with special weekly rates. Also available are tandems for two, cargo bikes for hauling groceries or toddlers, and bikes with child seats.

Biking opens up the prospect of escaping the urban setting for countryside of pastureland, windmills and more canals. On the southern side of the city is the 2500-acre Amsterdam forest, the city’s largest park with more than 50 km of bike paths.

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The second largest city in spain , barcelona is situated in the northeastern coast of the Iberian Peninsula bordering the Mediterranean Sea.

As you travel to barcelona, it is interesting to note that the city has its roots in a Roman colony founded way back in the 2 nd century B.C.

You will be struck by the architecture of the city on your voyage to Barcelona . It is the seat of Modernist Architecture and the city skyline sports a dynamic and dramatic look courtesy the concrete creations of Master Antoní Gaudí and his contemporaries.

You will surely discover the amazing history of barcelona traveling through its lanes. Its Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance monuments are lovingly conserved, as are the labyrinth of narrow alleys.You can also share and express your views on Barcelona Hotels.

Such curious mixes of the old and the new make a travel to barcelona in Spain a truly enriching and enchanting experience.

In barcelona , take a tour to “La Rambla”. This busy boulevard houses a bird market, a grand 19 th century opera house, a marine museum stocking an extensive collection of navy items including 16 th century galleys and a monument dedicated to Christopher Columbus.

The history buff’s tour of barcelona will remain incomplete without a voyage to “Barri Gotic”, which is an area of medieval Gothic structures including the Cathedral, one of the greatest examples of Gothic architecture in Spain and the numerous museums dotting the city.

“Fundació Miró” is a veritable treasure-trove of contemporary art, while the Barbier-Mueller Museum of Pre-Columbian Art is the only European museum dedicated to artworks from this era. For the art aficionados, a voyage to the Picasso Museum housing his early works and the residence-turned museum of Gaudi with its marvelous pink-hued Alice-in-Wonderland structure, is a must when on a tour to barcelona.

If you are a music maniac, Music Palace definitely awaits your voyage. An elegant colorful structure, this Music Palace is one of the world’s most extraordinary music halls and an epitome of Modernistic Architecture.

When you travel to barcelona in spain , let music be your Muse. The SONAR and the Primavera music festivals are treats for the ears.

But the crème la crème of your travel to barcelona in spain has to be a tour to Gaudi’s masterpiece, the unfinished “La Sagrada Familia”. Its towering spires form one of the most recognized international landmarks. “La Pedrera”, a combined apartment and office block is another Gaudi wonder with its distinctive wavy pattern and multihued chimney pots.

It is true that barcelona merits a voyage by dint of its spectacular architecture only. But its parks are worth a tour too. The Pedralbes Royal Palace gardens is an oasis of beauty with its exquisite foliage, as are the “Jardins Mossèn Costa i Llobera” and the “Jardins Mossèn Cinto Verdaguer”, atop the Montjuïc hill and the “Park de la Ciudadella”.

“Park Güell”, designed by Gaudi, is however the pick of the lot. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this park has earned the tags of surrealistic, expressionist and modernist and can definitely form one of the highpoints of your travel to barcelona in spain .

After you have soaked in the architectural splendors during your travel to barcelona, turn to the other barcelona attractions. Some popular beaches around the city fringes are “Nova Icaria”, “Bogatell”, “Barceloneta” and the “Mar Bella”, barcelona’s sole naturist beach.

Metropolitan Park of Collserola, the “Sant Llorenç” and the Montseny natural parks will appeal to all nature lovers with their rare flora specimens, wildlife and stunning scenery. There are two medieval Benedictine monasteries, one of them built by the first sovereign count of Catalonia.

These barcelona attractions lie on the outskirts of the city but are worth a journey while you are touring barcelona .

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The largest aquarium in Europe , “L’Aquàrium” and “Universal’s Mediterranea”, an inimitable amusement park on the Impressionist style are the other barcelona attractions of note.

For a football fanatic, a tour to the “barcelona FC”, base for the “La Liga” team is almost an obligation while on a travel to barcelona in spain .

With the plethora of things to do in barcelona , you will find your days flying. There are shops selling everything from designer wear to art and antiques, restaurants dishing out the choicest tapas and a vibrant nightlife.

The barcelona facts point to a city that is a unique blend of the old and the new: quite a rarity in itself. Amidst the splendid architecture, resplendent natural beauty and an array of tourist activities, time will fly when you travel to barcelona.

London attracts more American visitors than any other European city. Dig deep enough and you’ll find Roman, Saxon and Medieval remnants but, you’ll also find skyscrapers and imposing Victorian architecture. The past is alive and well in London, you just have to know how to look for it. Over the centuries, all the outlying villages have become consolidated into one huge and wonderful city. The size alone can intimidate the first time visitor. Here are a few suggestions to make your first journey to London stress free.

Take an orientation tour. Get your bearings by taking an orientation tour, such as London Hotels where those offered on the red double-decker buses. Take the tour on the very first afternoon, or the next morning at the latest.

Be sure your accommodations are near a subway (tube) stop. Don’t even think about renting a car within the city. Streets are typically congested, drivers are aggressive and parking is nearly nonexistent. dx newsNot to mention you’d be driving in the left lane. Try to stay within a ten minute (or less) walk from a subway stop. For convenience, purchase a subway pass, which allows speedy entrance and exit of the subway. Buying individual tickets will slow you down and cost more over the long run.

Study a city map and subway map before leaving home. You need not be an expert, just get a feel for the place to lessen confusion. For example, Tower Bridge is on the East side of the city, and Kensington Gardens is on the West side of the city, and so on.

Don’t expect to cover all the sites of the city in one trip. You could return to London five times and still not see everything the city has to offer. On your first trip, narrow down your list to a manageable number. Traveling within the city, even with their efficient subway system will still take a chunk of time from your day. Going from one section of the city to another could take forty minutes to an hour. In other words, don’t plan to see such major sites as the British Museum, Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum and the Tower of London all in a single day. Unrealistic sightseeing schedules will leave you frustrated and exhausted.

Plan for crowds. London gets millions of visitors year-round, not just in the summer months. Don’t kid yourself, even if you go in November or January, the tourists will be there in full force.

There are a few “must-sees” for any first time visitor to London. Here’s a list.

Changing of the Guard: This is perhaps London’s greatest spectacle and one dating back hundreds of years. It takes place year round outside Buckingham Palace. The Palace itself, the Queen’s official residence, is open each year for two months in late summer. Visitors can see the magnificent State Rooms containing some of the Queen’s fine collection of paintings and furniture.

The Tower of London: Home of the famous Yeomen Warders or Beefeaters, the tower has been a fortress, palace, prison and zoo. The most historic part, the White Tower, was built in the time of William the Conqueror and is more than 900 years old. The priceless crown jewels are on display, as well as new displays of armor. To avoid the long lines at the jewels, arrive at 9:00 a.m. and go straight to the jewels. You’ll also want to take the free Beefeater tour which lasts about an hour. Other famous sights at the Tower include the immense black ravens and Traitors’ Gate.

The British Museum: As the oldest public museum in the world, this mammoth place also claims to be the most visited of all museums in Britain. Highlights include the Elgin Marbles, the Rosetta Stone, the Magna Carta and Egyptian mummies. The museum was founded in 1753 by an Act of Parliament from the collections of Sir Hans Sloane. If it all seems overwhelming, take a “highlights” tour, then come back later to see your favorites in-depth.

Westminster Abbey and St. Paul’s Cathedral: Westminster Abbey is one of Britain’s finest Gothic buildings and the scene of coronations, marriages, and burials of British monarches. Built between the 13th and 16th centuries, this church, with its great rose windows, outstanding height and flying buttresses, seems to have been inspired by the great cathedrals of Rheims and Amiens of France. Well-produced Walkman tours are available or you can join a 90-minute tour with a human guide.

St. Paul’s: London’s classical cathedral designed by Sir Christopher Wren, is famous for being the site of Prince Charles and Diana’s wedding. It was built between 1675 and 1710 and features the whispering gallery and the crypt, in which many famous individuals are buried. A word of warning, the whispering gallery requires walking up 259 steps.

Tower Bridge and Big Ben: Perhaps the two most photographed sites in London, most first time visitors make time to see both. Although not old by London standards, (opened in 1894) Tower Bridge is the city’s most beloved bridge, while Big Ben is often considered the city’s landmark.

When you are in London, you’re in one of the world’s most exciting cities. Just walking and looking can be an unforgettable experience. Like Samuel Johnson said, “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life, for there is in London all that life can afford.”